TCF! Man I miss it sorely, at least how it used to be! I attended first I think around 1995/1996 at Mercer County Community College, and I was blown away. So so so many good memories, so many things bought and sold. Having my friends sleep over so we could wake up at 4am and start the trek from the Philly burbs, driving my Dads Ramcharger loaded with a trailer full of stuff, and coming up with a trailer full of new stuff. Some of the new stuff came from the dumpsters, which had no less than 5 people in them at most times LOL, myself included. If anyone has pics of the former TCF, I wonder if we can set up a shared album they can be uploaded to? I'd love to see some. I have I think a couple pics, but literally just that.I remember the crowds coming in, I think they'd bus people in from Manhattan and other areas, and they had a "locker" area where people could stash their buys. I remember seeing all sorts of crazy stuff in the pile including 21" CRT monitors at the time. I also still have the TCF book from 1995 (and a few others). Jeff aka Bags On Fri, Mar 5, 2021 at 7:02 AM <vcf-midatlantic-request@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Upcoming VCF events (Christian Liendo) 2. Re: Upcoming VCF events (Sentry TV) 3. Re: Upcoming VCF events (Adam Michlin) 4. Re: Upcoming VCF events (Dean Notarnicola) 5. Re: Upcoming VCF events (jsalzman@gmail.com) 6. Re: Upcoming VCF events (Sentrytv) 7. Re: Keep the lights on at InfoAge (GoFundMe fundraiser) (Bruce) 8. Re: Keep the lights on at InfoAge (GoFundMe fundraiser) (Martin Flynn) 9. Re: TCF (was Upcoming VCF events) (Jeff Galinat) 10. Re: TCF (was Upcoming VCF events) (Dave McGuire)
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Message: 1 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 08:10:24 -0500 From: Christian Liendo <cliendo@gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: < CAA9iAfvOFqxxRvKnJQasyWL3OLbhrT-5HtoDs2TdV79AVEfx5A@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 2 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 13:35:10 +0000 (UTC) From: Sentry TV <sentrytv@yahoo.com> To: Christian Liendo <cliendo@gmail.com> Cc: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: <1115094970.546609.1614864910471@mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Well, it was not my intention to "start something".It was just a suggestion. So it seems many of us miss the TCF swapmeet and it is nice to see some people agree to having the swapmeet multiple days. That parking lot sure is big enough for a larger event! I agree, in time we can make adjustments to how it is done,one or multiple days. I'm happy to have a swapmeet at all. Either way count me in! Mike R.
On Thursday, March 4, 2021, 08:10:46 AM EST, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 3 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 08:37:39 -0500 From: Adam Michlin <adam.michlin@vcfed.org> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: <CA+zj1vRt7XGif=-5_PtYSxe2KtBWShZNzs7Tb= szRsfvgHEkRA@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Some of my happiest memories were of the De Anza Swap Meet (in Silicon Valley proper at De Anza College) and the Lawrence Livermore Swap Meet (more East Bay) in the 90s.
Watching the consignment at East grow and grow over the last years, I dreamed of VCF bringing something like those Swap Meet experiences back to life. Proof of concept, in the middle of the pandemic, makes me even more convinced that not only will it be popular, but it will continue to grow.
The joy of the impulse buy is a very strong motivator. eBay.. blech.
-Adam
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 8:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 4 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 08:41:12 -0500 From: Dean Notarnicola <dnotarnicola@gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: < CAJeDMDgXu7-rYFGD_jtZS3_S_o0FNA_vLqYKprRXQJTcVrVbUg@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Good point! This is a great alternative/adjunct to selling sites for sellers and enthusiasts in the area.
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 8:38 AM Adam Michlin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Some of my happiest memories were of the De Anza Swap Meet (in Silicon Valley proper at De Anza College) and the Lawrence Livermore Swap Meet (more East Bay) in the 90s.
Watching the consignment at East grow and grow over the last years, I dreamed of VCF bringing something like those Swap Meet experiences back to life. Proof of concept, in the middle of the pandemic, makes me even more convinced that not only will it be popular, but it will continue to grow.
The joy of the impulse buy is a very strong motivator. eBay.. blech.
-Adam
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 8:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 5 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 08:50:45 -0500 From: jsalzman@gmail.com To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: < CAOYAXyim6_UzZmA-PZyHs1hTZnhiW6VqGKwKjpN2+gX2xMiedw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
The real trick is drumming up interest, but I believe there is a seed of hope. For example, who noticed the presence and interest of younger generations at last year's swap meet? I remember there was a kid who was going through and asking for information about a lot of stuff that people were selling, including at my table, and showing an actual interest in buying stuff.. He, and those of his generation, showed a genuine interest in the hobby, or for that matter, much of the other, closely related, contemporaneous goods that were for sale. They're the future of the hobby, and they're out there. They just need to be reminded that we are scheduling these events.
I'm sure we learned more about promoting the swap meet to the public, and how we can reach more people who may be interested, young and old. For example, in Kutztown is the Antique Radio Show. This is a swap meet that is primarily focussed on antique radios... stuff that's older than what we tend to collect. However, they have generated so much interest in their event to both young and old that they have successfully operated not only under two large pavilions full of vendors at the antique's marketplace they use, but they even run successful shows TWICE per year.
We might not be TCF, but that doesn't mean that the VCF Swapmeet can't grow into a bigger and more formidable event like the aforementioned Kutztown Antique Radio Show.
Jeff Salzman
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 8:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 6 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 09:16:10 -0500 From: Sentrytv <sentrytv@yahoo.com> To: jsalzman@gmail.com, vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Upcoming VCF events Message-ID: <BB00C61D-31FA-42A1-9F67-118178D5E19C@yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I noticed one young boy and his mother walking around finding a few items and of course asking questions.
It really does seem that one of the problems with the hamfest and swapmeet it does not generate enough interest in the younger crowd. Maybe because they need to rely on transportation to get there. And getting their parents involved or interested is more difficult.
I know Jeff Galinat would generate interest at the Hamfests with displays of Arduino and raspberry pi stuff.
And of course advertising well in advance if possible would definitely help.
Since there?s not going to be a TCF this year there is no competition.
Just my two cents
Mike R
Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Mar 4, 2021, at 8:51 AM, Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
?The real trick is drumming up interest, but I believe there is a seed of hope. For example, who noticed the presence and interest of younger generations at last year's swap meet? I remember there was a kid who was going through and asking for information about a lot of stuff that people were selling, including at my table, and showing an actual interest in buying stuff.. He, and those of his generation, showed a genuine interest in the hobby, or for that matter, much of the other, closely related, contemporaneous goods that were for sale. They're the future of the hobby, and they're out there. They just need to be reminded that we are scheduling these events.
I'm sure we learned more about promoting the swap meet to the public, and how we can reach more people who may be interested, young and old. For example, in Kutztown is the Antique Radio Show. This is a swap meet that is primarily focussed on antique radios... stuff that's older than what we tend to collect. However, they have generated so much interest in their event to both young and old that they have successfully operated not only under two large pavilions full of vendors at the antique's marketplace they use, but they even run successful shows TWICE per year.
We might not be TCF, but that doesn't mean that the VCF Swapmeet can't grow into a bigger and more formidable event like the aforementioned Kutztown Antique Radio Show.
Jeff Salzman
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 8:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 7 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 09:35:55 -0500 From: Bruce <freemab222@gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Keep the lights on at InfoAge (GoFundMe fundraiser) Message-ID: <CAD1TJUa= 1vY2RzO11PJYdqiUP5aDGsSFninjL04VUZQ4fFR4Fw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I notice that this fundraiser link is not posted yet to r/InfoAge. Somebody might want to do so. Bruce NJ
On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 7:22 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Vintage Computer Federation has initiated a fundraiser for InfoAge operating expenses. As with many museums across the country InfoAge was hit hard by lower visitor numbers, yet the expenses keep coming. For those that don't know, VCF leases space for our museum and warehouse from InfoAge. So we are looking to help them as it benefits us and all the other museums under the InfoAge umbrella to stay in business.
Our doors stay open as a result of the volunteers' efforts, the donations made by visitors to InfoAge, as well as grants and other fundraising efforts.
As you can imagine, the long closures, limited capacity and public concerns that have come as a result of COVID-19 have seriously hurt our ability to raise money and continue to maintain and improve the Camp Evans Historical Landmark Site and the museums that occupy it's spaces.
Starting with the resident non-profits, we are pooling our resources to keep the doors to our home here at Camp Evans/InfoAge open and continue to share this wonderful place with the public. But we need your help to make it through these difficult times.
ANY donation will help make an impact.
How will your donation help? Your donations will assist InfoAge in paying for daily operating expenses (like keeping the electricity on!) repairs and maintenance and installation of new exhibits just to name a few!
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.
We set a goal of $10,000 and you can donate by going here: https://gofund.me/f72ab5f0 Jeff Brace ========================================= Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
------------------------------
Message: 8 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 09:37:43 -0500 From: Martin Flynn <maflynn@theflynn.org> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Keep the lights on at InfoAge (GoFundMe fundraiser) Message-ID: <A82D847D-D12A-4D54-9064-B929B67C5741@theflynn.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I can do that- I am now the admin for the Reddit
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 4, 2021, at 9:36 AM, Bruce via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
?I notice that this fundraiser link is not posted yet to r/InfoAge. Somebody might want to do so. Bruce NJ
On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 7:22 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Vintage Computer Federation has initiated a fundraiser for InfoAge operating expenses. As with many museums across the country InfoAge was hit hard by lower visitor numbers, yet the expenses keep coming. For those that don't know, VCF leases space for our museum and warehouse from InfoAge. So we are looking to help them as it benefits us and all the other museums under the InfoAge umbrella to stay in business.
Our doors stay open as a result of the volunteers' efforts, the donations made by visitors to InfoAge, as well as grants and other fundraising efforts.
As you can imagine, the long closures, limited capacity and public concerns that have come as a result of COVID-19 have seriously hurt our ability to raise money and continue to maintain and improve the Camp Evans Historical Landmark Site and the museums that occupy it's spaces.
Starting with the resident non-profits, we are pooling our resources to keep the doors to our home here at Camp Evans/InfoAge open and continue to share this wonderful place with the public. But we need your help to make it through these difficult times.
ANY donation will help make an impact.
How will your donation help? Your donations will assist InfoAge in paying for daily operating expenses (like keeping the electricity on!) repairs and maintenance and installation of new exhibits just to name a few!
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.
We set a goal of $10,000 and you can donate by going here: https://gofund.me/f72ab5f0 Jeff Brace ========================================= Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
------------------------------
Message: 9 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 10:39:54 -0700 From: Jeff Galinat <jgalinat@gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] TCF (was Upcoming VCF events) Message-ID: <CAOWXy6RyBVLd-kKoRE1PvNveMm9X4YEfSpaW= JHg+q7DRtx-Eg@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Yea, I sure miss those days. I was a vendor at TCF for over 40 years starting in 1978. TCF was the highlight of my year and preparing for it was my version of "getting ready for the BIG GAME". I always took the Friday before off to test, label and load the truck to the roof. I sold & got a lot of bargains over the years and had a great time meeting fellow enthusiasts. The flea market really got killed when TCF moved to March and the "flea market" got moved to a conference room. I continued to sell at TCF but in 2019 they told the vendors they had to be packed up & out of the room by 3pm. With 4 tables of stuff, I had to start packing at 2pm. I vowed that would be my last TCF which proved to be a moot point since I moved to Tucson, AZ in early 2020.
I am glad to see that others have similar fond memories of the TCF flea market.
Jeff Galinat
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 6:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
------------------------------
Message: 10 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 13:12:31 -0500 From: Dave McGuire <mcguire@neurotica.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] TCF (was Upcoming VCF events) Message-ID: <9e0c4a37-9b79-ef9f-6c68-0f82d07bb938@neurotica.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
We surely crossed paths! I was there for pretty much all of the 1980s, and the first bit of the 1990s, selling most years.
The best thing about selling is that you have a place to drop off the stuff that you buy. :) For many of the years that I sold, I quickly threw together a few random things to populate my spot, but really only wanted a place to put stuff that I bought. It was once said that most of the buying and selling took place before the event opened for non-sellers. :)
I made a lot of friends there, many of whom I still have. I still have some gear that I purchased at that flea market, and some of it is on exhibit at LSSM.
The flea market was the most important part, for most people it seems. It certainly was for me, and all of my friends at the time. Heck, there were some years that we never even went anywhere BUT the flea market. When you see tens of thousands of people outside at the flea market, and maybe a thousand or so inside the buildings, that tells you something.
What really killed it was moving from the Trenton State College location to the Mercer County Community College. Though the latter was much closer to home for me (literally a five minute ride, I lived in Mercerville at the time), the event shrunk dramatically in that transition and a lot of the magic (and great hardware!) was gone.
-Dave
On 3/4/21 12:39 PM, Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Yea, I sure miss those days. I was a vendor at TCF for over 40 years starting in 1978. TCF was the highlight of my year and preparing for it was my version of "getting ready for the BIG GAME". I always took the Friday before off to test, label and load the truck to the roof. I sold & got a lot of bargains over the years and had a great time meeting fellow enthusiasts. The flea market really got killed when TCF moved to March and the "flea market" got moved to a conference room. I continued to sell at TCF but in 2019 they told the vendors they had to be packed up & out of the room by 3pm. With 4 tables of stuff, I had to start packing at 2pm. I vowed that would be my last TCF which proved to be a moot point since I moved to Tucson, AZ in early 2020.
I am glad to see that others have similar fond memories of the TCF flea market.
Jeff Galinat
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 6:11 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I think you could in time. I thought I was the only person who missed TCF's flea market,but there seems to be many others.
I wish TCF realized how important their flea market was and how by killing it they killed their show.
On Wed, Mar 3, 2021 at 10:45 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
We can only hope that someday we could fill that big parking lot with vendors! That would be incredibly exciting!
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
End of vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 34, Issue 5 **********************************************